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Opera Pumps - What's the Deal?

post #1 of 87
5/10/07 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
I've seen them in various threads. Bespoke, whatever. I still don't get them. Aren't these women's shoes??? Do men actually wear them? They seem painfully 19th century. I just don't understand. In what context are they appropriate, and are they ever required. Because I know for a fact I will never wear them, but I'm curious who does and when?
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post #2 of 87
5/10/07 at 2:16pm
Worn with black tie. I think there are better choices, but others like them.
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post #3 of 87
5/10/07 at 2:31pm
Also bullfights wear a similar pump.
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post #4 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:11pm
I do, with black tie. It is surprisingly subtle within the context of the entire outfit.

--Andre
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post #5 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinman View Post
Worn with black tie. I think there are better choices, but others like them.


What are the better choices?
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post #6 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:29pm
There are no better choices.

The opera pump is a remnant of the court shoe, from the 19th century. A tuxedo is a formal wear that truly has no meaningful use in current days, but we still attire ourselves in such for "formal" occasions. Best to stick with tradition, which is what an opera pump is.

I have a pair by RLPL/EG. It's very subtle when worn properly.
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post #7 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CommercialDoc View Post
What are the better choices?
patent plain oxfords.
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post #8 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:32pm
you wear black socks with this? white socks?
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post #9 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:34pm
I much prefer pumps in calf with grosgrain bow over pumps in patent.
As dinner jacket is not work wear, I prefer not to "boot up" with laced shoes.

-
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post #10 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:34pm
Sure, but tradition for some is not tradition for others...i.e. I'm not anglo, nor do I necessarily believe that my attempts at formal wear should embrace its "roots" in its entirety, viz a viz "completing" the outfit with 19th century inspired pumps. So it's not "best to stick with tradition" in all cases...
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post #11 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:35pm
Frank Sinatra wore them, therefore they are not sissy.
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post #12 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmac View Post
you wear black socks with this? white socks?

Very thin, sheer, black silk-blend socks for pumps or oxfords. They can have some decoration on the side. Brooks Brothers has the plain ones, and Alex Kabbaz carries some with clocks.

--Andre
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post #13 of 87
5/10/07 at 3:57pm
I had them in boxcalf and loved them, but they were a bit tight for me. I would buy a pair again.
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post #14 of 87
5/10/07 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
patent plain oxfords.

+1
I own black calfskin wholecuts in the event I someday find an excuse to wear black tie, since I can't justify buying patent leather shoes. It's a sartorial sin of the first magnitude to some; marginally acceptable to others.
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post #15 of 87
5/10/07 at 4:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinman View Post
+1
I own black calfskin wholecuts in the event I someday find an excuse to wear black tie, since I can't justify buying patent leather shoes. It's a sartorial sin of the first magnitude to some; marginally acceptable to others.

Totally acceptable to me. Especially if mirror shined. I personally find that more elegant than patent oxford
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